The American journal of emergency medicine
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Case Reports
Death associated with ingestion of starfruit (Averrhoa carambola) in a patient with chronic kidney disease.
We detail a case of a 74-year-old female with a history of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) who initially presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with intractable hiccups after ingesting two whole starfruit (SF) and quickly became critically ill while in the ED. Our patient was admitted and received several rounds of hemodialysis, but efforts proved futile, as the patient expired during her hospital course. ⋯ S, and highlights the need for both a better understanding of SF intoxication and clearer guidelines and timing for treatment. Due to the increased mortality of patients who consume SF with a medical history of CKD or DM, it is prudent that Emergency Physicians are familiar with the clinical presentation and management options for SF toxicity.
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Observational Study
Characteristics of pediatric ocular trauma in a pediatric emergency department in Japan.
Pediatric ocular trauma is a common complaint in pediatric emergency departments (ED) and is a major cause of acquired monocular blindness. However, data on its epidemiology and management in the ED are lacking. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics and management of pediatric ocular trauma patients who visited a Japanese pediatric emergency department (ED). ⋯ Most cases of pediatric ocular trauma seen in the pediatric ED were CGI, with only a few cases leading to emergency surgery or ophthalmological complications. Pediatric ocular trauma can be safely managed by pediatric emergency physicians.
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Observational Study
Comparison of carotid artery ultrasound and manual method for pulse check in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.
The success of the manual pulse check method frequently employed during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is controversial due to its subjective, patient- and operator-dependent, and time-consuming nature. Carotid ultrasound (c-USG) has recently emerged as an alternative, although there are still insufficient studies on the subject. The purpose of the present study was to compare the success of the manual and c-USG pulse check methods during CPR. ⋯ According to the results of this study, the pulse check method with c-USG may be superior to the manual method in terms of fast and accurate decision making in CPR.
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Spontaneous Expulsive Suprachoroidal Hemorrhage (SESCH) is an extremely rare phenomenon that leads to atraumatic spontaneous globe rupture. Only a handful of SESCH cases have been reported worldwide, primarily in developing countries. Risk factors associated with SESCH include uncontrolled hypertension, previous eye surgery, glaucoma, atherosclerosis, advanced age, and corneal damage. ⋯ We report a case of expulsive suprachoroidal hemorrhage in a ninety-seven-year-old female. The patient presented to the emergency department with painful bleeding from her right eye. She denied any trauma or injury to the eye. She denied any use of anticoagulation. Physical examination showed a right ocular hematoma with mild active bleeding. She had exophthalmos and proptosis with extrusion of the ocular structures. A computed tomography scan of the orbits demonstrated right globe rupture with diffuse hemorrhage. Ophthalmology was consulted, and the patient subsequently had an evisceration of her right eye. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: Spontaneous expulsive choroidal hemorrhage is exceedingly rare. SESCH predominantly affects diseased eyes in the elderly. Early recognition of impending globe rupture in patients who present with suprachoroidal hemorrhage is necessary and requires prompt ophthalmology consultation. Emergency physicians must be aware that an atraumatic open globe can occur and requires immediate evaluation by an ophthalmologist and emergent repair in the operating suite.
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A majority of patients who experience acute coronary syndrome (ACS) initially receive care in the emergency department (ED). Guidelines for care of patients experiencing ACS, specifically ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are well defined. We examine the utilization of hospital resources between patients with NSTEMI as compared to STEMI and unstable angina (UA). We then make the case that as NSTEMI patients are the majority of ACS cases, there is a great opportunity to risk stratify these patients in the emergency department. ⋯ The sample included 284,945 adult ED patients, of whom 1195 experienced ACS. Among the latter, 978 (70%) were diagnosed with NSTEMI, 225 (16%) with STEMI, and 194 with UA (14%). We observed 79.1% of STEMI patients receiving ICU care. 14.4% among NSTEMI patients, and 9.3% among UA patients. NSTEMI patients' mean hospital LOS was 3.7 days. This was shorter than that of non-ACS patients 4.75 days and UA patients 2.99. In-hospital mortality for NSTEMI was 1.6%, compared to, 4.4% for those with STEMI patients and 0% for UA. There are recommendations for risk stratification among NSTEMI patients to evaluate risk for major adverse cardiac events (MACE) that can be used in the ED to guide admission decisions and use of ICU care, thus optimizing care for a majority of ACS patients.